Condenser split-phase type single-phase induction motor



D United States Patent 11113,549,969

[72] Inventor Koichi Yoshimura [56] References Cited KadOma-Shi, Japan UNITED STATES PATENTS P 730;? 968 1,934,060 11/1933 Hanning 318/228X [221 PM d 35 2,120,321 6/1938 Bargdill.... 318/228X [45] f 2,406,193 8/1946 Carson 318/206X [73] Ass1gnee Matsushlta Electr1cIndustnalCo., Ltd. 2 794 142 5/1957 St 6 e1 e 318/228X Osaka Japan a corporation Japan FOREIGN PATENTS 32 p i i M 2,1963 415,853 9/1934 Great Britain 318/221 [33] Japan Primary Examiner0ris L. Rader 1 43/29958 and 43/36528 Assistant Examiner-Gene Z. Rubinson Attorney-Stevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher [54] TYPE SINGLE-PHASE ABSTRACT: A condenser split-phase-type single-phase inacl 12D duction motor for use with ventilating fans, electric fans, rawmg washing machines. room coolers etc. wherein the phases of [52] U.S. Cl 318/207, currents flowing through the windings of the motor are 318/270, 318/221, 318/228, 318/230 changed by changing the impedance values of impedance ele- [51] Int. Cl H02p 1/42 ments connected with the motor windings, whereby the rota- [50] Field of Search 318/206, tion of the motor can be reversed and the speed thereof can be varied from zero to the maximum value.

SPEED OF POSITION O BRA/\CH POINT 4a PATENTEU DEE22 19m SHEET 3 BF 3 7 CORE 64c INVENTOR Kaichi yeah/m u r a ATTORNEYS CONDENSER SPLIT-PHASE TYPE SINGLE-PHASE INDUCTION MOTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a condenser split-phase type singlephase induction motor.

In a single-phase induction motor for use with an electric fan, a room cooler or the like, it is required that the speed thereof be able to be changed so as to switch its output from high to low and vice versa. Further, in a single-phase induction motor for a ventilating fan performing air-intake and exhaust operations, a reversible-type electric washing machine or the like, it is necessary that the rotation thereof can be switched from forward to reverse and vice versa, and in addition it is in some cases desired that the speed be variable.

In the conventional single-phase induction motors for the foregoing applications, for the purpose of changing the speed, use has been made of either the. method of changing the impedance of an impedance element connected in series with the motor winding (so-called voltage-controlling method), or the method of changing the conduction angle of a silicon-controlled rectifier (S.C.R.) connected in series with the motor winding. However, with the former method or voltage-controlling method, a drawback occurs namely that the starting torque is reduced in the case of low-speed rotation, while with the latter method, there occur such drawbacks as that not only an expensive silicon-controlled rectifier but also an ignition circuit and a temperature-compensating circuit for the rectifier are required, which leads to complication in the circuit. Further, in such conventional single-phase induction motors, it is the usual practice to switch the connection of a split-phase condenser with respect to the motor winding by means of a changeover switch to thereby change the rotation from forward to reverse and vice versa. With such an arrangement, however, the motor circuitry becomes very different between verse effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention intends to overcome the various foregoing difficulties encountered in the conventional singlephase induction motors. In accordance with the novel feature of the present invention, one end of each of two motor field windings arranged with spatial phase difference is connected with one terminal of an AC power source, a condenser is connected between the other ends of the field windings, an impedance element is connected across the condenser, the branch point or tap of the impedance element is coupled to the other terminal of the AC power source, the impedance values in the portions of the impedance element between the tap and the opposite terminals being variable, and the phase relationship between the currents flowing through the two field windings is changed by changing said impedance values to thereby change the speed and direction of the rotation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a condenser split-phase-type single-phase induction motor which is so designed that the frequency and direction of rotation can be easily controlled without resorting to a complicated and expensive circuit arrangement and causing the starting torque to be decreased.

Another object of this invention is to provide a condenser split-phase-type single-phase induction motor so designed that the direction of rotation can be smoothly changed and the speed can be changed from maximum to zero and vice versa without steps during both the forward and reverse rotation.

Still another object of this inventionis to provide a condenser split-phase-type single-phase induction motor which is adapted to be completely stopped from rotating under such a condition that the speed thereof should be zero by cutting off the power source to prevent wasteful power consumption, in view of the fact that in practice it is not the usual case that such a motor is to be rotated at a speed in the vicinity of zero.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved impedance element which can be used conveniently for the intended application.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1a is a circuit diagram showing the condenser splitphase-type single-phase induction motor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. lb shows the characteristic curve of the motor shown in FIG. la; 7

FIGS. 2 and 3 are circuit diagrams showing the condenser split-phase-type single-phase induction motors according to second and third embodiments of the present invention, respectively;

FIG. 4a is a circuit diagram showing the condenser splitphase-type single-phase induction motor according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4b is the characteristic curve of the motor shown in FIG. 4a;

FIG. 5a is a circuit diagram showing the condenser splitphase-type single-phase induction motor according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5b shows the characteristic curve of the motor shown in FIG. 5a;

FIG. 50 is a plan view of the impedance element incorporated in the motor according to the present invention;

FIG. 6a is a circuit diagram showing the condenser splitphase-type single-phase inductionmotor according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6b shows the characteristic curve of the motor shown in FIG. 6a; and 7 FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing the condenser splitphase-type single-phase induction motor according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Referring first to FIG. la, the reference numerals 1 and 2 represent field windings which are arranged with a spatial phase difference, one end 1,, 2,, of each of the field'windings I and 2 being connected with one terminal 5., of an AC power source 5. A condenser 3 is connected across the opposite ends I, and 2 of the field windings l and 2, and an impedance element 4,, is connected across the condenser 3. Tap 4, of the impedance element 4, is coupled to the other terminal 5, of the AC power source 5. A variable impedance element 4 includes said element 4 and said tap 4,. The reference numeral 6 denotes a cage rotor.

The position of the tap 4 of the impedance element 4 can be changed as indicated at A, Band C in FIG. 1. In case the tap 4, of the impedance element 4, is located at the position A, currents flowing through the field windings l and 2 are in phase with each other so that the rotor 6 will not rotate. In case the tap 4,, assumes the position B, the current flowing through the field winding 2 leads that flowing through the field winding 1 so that the rotor 6 rotates at full speed clockwise as indicated by one arrow M This is the result of the fact that the condenser 3 is connected in series with the field winding 2. If the tap 4a is moved to the position C as indicated by the one-dot chain line, then the current flowing through the field winding 1 leads that flowing through the field winding 2 so that the rotor 6 rotates at full speed counterclockwise as indicated by the other arrow N,.

A graphical plot of these characteristics is shown in FIG. 1b. With the tap 4,, displaced from (C) to (A) and then to (B), it is possible to achieve counterclockwise full speed rotation, zero speed rotation, and then clockwise full speed rotation. The impedance element 4,, may be constituted by whichever of a reactor, resistor, capacitor, etc.

Thus, with the condenser split-phase-type single-phase induction motor illustrated in FIG. la, it is possible not only to smoothly change the direction of rotation but also to continuously change the speed from zero to the maximum in the manner of so-called nonstepped speed change without imparting any adverse influence to the rotor, by displacing the tap 4,, of the impedance element 5 FIGS; 2 and 3 are circuit diagrams showing condenser splitphase-type single-phase induction motors according to slight modifications of that shown in FIG. Ila, each of them being based on the technical idea of the present invention.

More specifically, the motor shown in FIG. 2 includes two field windings which are divided in a plurality of sections, i.e. field winding sections l, l and 2, 2, respectively. In addition to the condenser 3, condensers 7 and d are connected in series with the field winding sections 1, l and 2, 2' respectively. The remaining portion of the circuit arrangement of FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. la.

The circuit arrangement of FIG. 3 is similar to that of FIG. Ia, except that a resistor 9 is connected in series with the condenser 3, and a circuit element Ml such for example as a diode is connected across the ends 11,, and 2,, of the field windings I and 2.

With the condenser split-phase-type single-phase induction motors shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it is possible to smoothly change both the direction and the speed of the rotor 6 by displacing the tap 4,, of the impedance element 4,, as is the case with the motor shown in FIG. 1a.

Referring to FIG. 4a, there is shown the condenser split phase-type single-phase induction motor, wherein the reference numerals 41 and 42 represent field windings which are arranged with spatial phase difference, one end 41,, 42,, of each of the field windings 41 and 42 being connected with one terminal 45,, of an AC power source 45. A condenser 43 is connected between the opposite ends 411,, and 42 of the field windings 4 1i and 42, and an impedance element 44 is connected across the capacitor 43.

The impedance element 414 may be constituted by whichever of areactor, resistor, capacitor, semiconductor element, etc. and it comprises two separate impedance element segments 44,, and M and an impedance element segment 44, connected between a terminal E of the impedance element segment 44,, and a terminal F of the impedance element segment 44 Movable tap 4d,, of the impedance element 44 is coupled to the other terminal 45,, of the AC power source 45. Thus, the tap 44,, is adjustably connected with any point between the ends D and E of the segment but it is not connected with the segment 44,.

lit-the'condenser split-phase single-phase induction motor as shown in FIG. do, in case the tap 44,, is connected withthe impedance element segment 44,, (as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 40), the rotor 4 6 will be rotated clockwise as indicated by a solid arrow M In case the tap 44,, is connected with the impedance segment 44,, (as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 4a), the rotor 46 will be rotated counterclockwise as shown by a solid arrow N When the tap 44,, is engaged with any point between the ends E and F of the impedance element 44, the impedance element is disconnected from the AC power source &5 so that the rotor 46 will be stopped from rotating. A graphical plot of the foregoing rotational characteristics is shown in FIG. db.

' Electric motors of this type need not be driven at speed of rotation in the vicinity of zero, and therefore, as described above, the design is made such that the power source is cutoff upon arrival of the tap 44,, at the central portion of the impedance element 44. This ensures safety for the electric motor and avoids wasteful power consumption.

FIG. 5a shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein the reference numerals 5 I and 52 represent field windings which are arranged with spatial phase difference, one end 51,, 52,, of each of the field windings 51 and 52 being connected with one terminal 55,, of AC power source 55. A condenser 53 is connected between the opposite ends 51,, and

52,, of the field windings 51 and 52, and an impedance element 54 is connected across the condenser 53. The impedance element 54 is constructed in a notch-type configuration. That is,-. notches T,,' T T T T T,,, T,, T T are provided on a print board by means of printing, evaporation, coating, bonding or the like, and fixed impedance elements such for example as solid resistors 54,, 5%, 54,, $4,, 54,, 54,, 54,, are connected between the adjacent ones of the notches T,, T T T.,, T,,, T,,, T,, T,,, respectively as in FIG. 5c. Further, a movable terminal 54 which is rotatably carried by the printed board 57 and electrically connected with the notch T 'is adapted to be switchingly brought intoelectrical contact with the notches T,, T T T T,,, T,,, T T The notch T is connected with the other terminal 55,,0f the AC power source 55. Thei reference numeral 56 represents mounting holes formed in the printed board 57. Thus, byrotating the movable terminal 54,, in a direction indicated by the arrow M, or N the notch T, will be switchingly connected with the notches T T T T T T T T, so that the direction and speed of the rotor 56 are changed as shown in FIGJEb.

The use of the notch type variable impedance element.

makes is possible to construct such element in any desired produced by an integral lumped-type variable impedanceelement. Still furthermore, the impedance values for the fixed impedance elements between the notches can easily be changed sequentially, so that the speed characteristics of the electric .1

motor can be established optionally.

FIG. 6a shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention,

wherein the reference numerals 6i and and 62 representfield windings which are arranged with spatial phase difference,

one end 61 i of each of the field windings 61 and 62 being connected with one terminal 65,, of AC power source 65. A condenser 63 is connected between the other ends 61,, and 62, of the field windings'61 and62. The reference numeral 64 denotes an impedance distributor consisting of coils 64,, and ,5 64 and a movable core 64, disposed in the neighborhoodof the coils 64,, and 64 The coils 64,, and 64,, are connected 1 across the capacitor 63, and a point 64,, which corresponds to, the connection point between the coils 64,, and 64 is coupled.

to the other terminal 65, of the AC power source 65.

The impedance 64, though its overall impedance is substan-.. tially invariable, is adapted to suitably distribute the im pedance values for the coils 64,, and 64,, through the movement of the movable core 64,.

Suppose now that the movable core 64,. assumes a position S, opposed to the coil 64,. In such a case, the impedance of the coil 64,, increases remarkably, while the impedance of the a:

coil 64 becomes substantially zero, so that, equivalently, the ,2 AC power source 66 is connected withthe field winding 61 ii through the capacitor 63 and it is connected directly with field ,i winding 62. Thus, a current I, flowing through the field wind ing 61 leads a current I,- flowing through the field winding 62 In case the movable core 64, assumes a position S, opposed't the point 64,, then the impedances of the field windings-64,. I and 64,, become equal, so that the currents I, and I, flowing through the field windings 61 and 62 respectively are in phase. Q with each other. In case the movable core 64,- assumes a posh, tion 8, opposed to thecoil 64 then theimpedance of the coil l 64,, becomes remarkably high while that of thecoil 64 becomes extremely low, so that, equivalently, the current I,

flowing through the field winding 62 leads the current I, flowing through the field winding 6i.

Thus, the relationship between the direction and the speeds" of the rotor 66 in terms of the position of the movable core 64,

is as shown in FIG. 6b. From this, it will be seen that the speed of the rotor 66 is changed linearly with the displacement of the movable core 64,. Further, as the overall impedance of the coils 64,, and 64,, decreases, the maximum speed decreases as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 6b, and the input current tends to increase. Therefore, it is required that the overall impedance of the coils 64,, and 64 be relatively high.

Experimental results show that in the case where said overall impedance is higher than 1 K0, the speed of the rotor becomes substantially equal to the maximum obtainable frequency which can be achieved without using the impedance distributor. Furthermore, it has been found that, though not illustrated in the drawing, the relationship between the position of the movable core 64, and the input current is such that when the movable core 64 is located at the position S or S,,, the input current becomes maximum and by increasing the overall impedance of the coils 64,, and 64, the input current can be reduced to a substantially negligible extent.

In accordance with the present invention, no complicated mechanism and circuits as incorporated in the conventional control devices are required for changing the direction and speed of rotation of the rotor. A further big advantage of the present invention is, among others,'that the construction is greatly simplified since no contacts are used, so that the direction and speed of rotation of the rotor can be controlled through a simple one-dimensional operation.

FIG. 7 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention, wherein the reference numerals 71 ad and 72 represent field windings which are arranged with spatial phase difference, one end 71 72,, of each of the field windings 71 and 72 being connected with one terminal 7,, of AC power source 75. Series condensers 73,, and 73,, are connected between the other ends 71,, and 72, of the field windings 71 and 72, series variable impedance elements 74,, and 74, are connected across the series condensers 73,, and 73,, and the connection point between the condensers 73,, and 73,, and that between the variable impedance elements 74,, and 74,, are coupled to the other terminal 75;, of the AC power source 75.

In the arrangement of FIG. 7, if the impedance values for the variable impedance elements 74,, and 74,, are substantially equal, then currents I, and I flowing through the field windings 71 and 72 respectively are substantially in phase with each other, so that the rotor will not be rotated in any direction.

However, in case the impedance of the variable impedance element 74,, is higher than that of the variable impedance element 74 then the current I: flowing through the field winding 72 leads the current I flowing through the field winding 71, so that the rotor 72 will be rotated clockwise or in the direction indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. 7.

On the contrary in case the impedance of the variable impedance element 74,, is higher than that of the variable impedance element 74 then the current I flowing through the field winding 72 lags behind the current I, flowing through the field winding 71, so that the rotor 76 will be rotated counterclockwise or in the direction as indicated by the arrow in FIG.

Thus, by changing the impedance values for the variable impedance elements 74,, and 74,, it is possible to reverse the direction of rotation of the rotor 76..

During the clockwise rotation of the rotor 76, if the impedance of the variable impedance element 74,, is increased and that of the element 74, is decreased, the speed of rotation of the rotor 76 is gradually lowered, and if the impedance of the variable impedance element 74,, is greatly decreased while the impedance of the element 74,, is correspondingly increased, then the rotor 76 is reversed to counterclockwise rotation.

Thus, by suitably adjusting the impedance values of the variable impedance elements 74, and 7 3 it is possible to freely change the direction and frequency of the rotor 76. However, in case the maximum impedance values for the variable impedance elements 74,, and 7d,, are too low, then the rotation controlling effect will be reduced so that difficulty will be encountered in increasing the speed of the counterclockwise rotation. In practice, care should be taken in that respect.

By interlocking the variable impedance elements 74,, and 74,, in such a manner that their impedance values are changed in opposite direction (if impedance of one of the variable impedance elements is increased, the impedance of the other element is decreased), the controlling of the direction and the speed of rotation of the rotor 76 can be further facilitated alternately, at least two transformers (not shown) may be employed instead of said impedance elements, one end of the primary windings of the transformers being connected in common with the common connection point of condensers 73,, and 73,, and with terminal 75,, of the AC power source, the other ends of the primary windings being respectively connected with ends 71,, and 72,, of field windings 71 and 72, respectively; otherwise in addition to the foregoing two transformers, instead of condensers '73,, and 73;, one condenser may be connected between ends 71,, and 72 of said field windings, which ends are also respectively connected with one end of each of the primary windings, the other ends of the primary windings being commonly connected with each other and with terminal 75,, of the power source; thus the secondary windings of the transformers are respectively coupled across proper variable impedance elements (such as, variable resisters, etc). The direction and the speed of the rotor may be changed by changing values of said variable impedance elements.

Iclaim:

l. A condenser split-phase fan-motor-type variable speed and reversible induction motor device comprising a rotor, a pair of field windings arranged with a spatial phase difference which have a common terminal connected with one terminal of an AC power source, a condenser connected between the other ends of said field windings, and a contactless variable reactor element comprised of an inductance element provided with a movable iron core in the vicinity thereof which element is connected across said condenser and has an intermediate tap connected to a second terminal of said AC power source.

2. A condenser split-phase fan-motor-type of a variable speed and reversible induction motor device comprising a rotor, a pair of field windings arranged with spatial phase difference which have a common terminal connected with one terminal of an AC power source, two condensers connected in series with the other ends of said field windings, two transformers having primary and secondary coils, the respective one ends of whose primary coils are connected across said condensers, the other ends of said primary coils being connected in common with the common terminal of said condensers and a second terminal of said AC power source, and variable impedance elements each connected across the secondary coil of said transformers.

3. A condenser split-phase fan-motor-type variable speed and reversible induction motor device comprising a rotor, a pair of field windings arranged with spatial phase difference which have a common terminal connected with one terminal of an AC power source, a condenser connected between the other ends of said field windings, two transformers respective one ends of whose primary coils are connected across said condenser and the other ends of said coils are connected in common with a second terminal of said AC power source, and 

